Wrestling star remembers his roots

HE may now be a medal-winning international wrestler but Michael Grundy knows exactly where his roots are.

This year the 27-year-old reached new heights by winning a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

It was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication from the Aspull wrestler who is always thankful to those who helped him along the way.

For Aspull councillor Chris Ready, who met Michael a decade ago and gave him a funding leg-up, it’s something he believes the whole town can celebrate.

“Around 10 years ago, Michael lived in my ward and attended Aspull Wrestling Club,” he said. “His mum contacted me because he was doing quite well at the time and asked if we could help with funding and ask for support in the community.

“We got him some external funding as well as some Brighter Borough money for the club and he did well out of that.

“He’s progressed further and further and he’s got his own gym up and running and the Commonwealth Games has been the icing on the cake.

“It’s good to see all he’s done and looking at the old picture and looking at what he’s done.”

Despite all his, Michael is keen to remember his roots.

Speaking to the Evening Post, the wrestling star said: “I got picked to wrestle for Great Britain abroad and Coun Ready helped me out towards that. Wrestling wasn’t heavily funded back then and he helped us out massively so I’ll always be grateful for that.

“I’m trying to put all my knowledge back into the kids coming through now.

“There’s not just me, there’s my dad and four others who give up their time for nothing.

“I think that’s the way it should be, I feel I owe it to my hometown to do that.”

Coun Ready believes Michael’s success is a great example of how the Council’s Brighter Borough Fund has been well spent.

He added: “When the Brighter Borough fund was set up many years ago, this is what the aim was to do.

“It was to try to progress people in the community and if they’ve got a talent help them and help clubs.

“It’s a screaming example of how it’s been a success over the years. It was around 1997 that we set it up. It was the Leader’s idea for areas that didn’t get funding.

“Areas like Aspull didn’t get much because they didn’t tick the boxes so the Leader wanted something there that the ward members could take to their own areas.”